[Nogrod]

Group F at Armenelos

When Númenor won the bid over hosting group F it was clear where the games would take place. Although there are beautiful and large enough stadiums in both Andunie and Romenna, there was no question the action would take place at either. The “Wembley” of the Middle-Earth, the Armenelos stadium, is situated just in the shadow of the tower and the citadel raised by Elros just beside Meneltarma. Even if there are some fancier and bigger new stadiums in Arda, the Armenelos stadium stands as the classic venue, the somewhat grey but revered old king of stadiums. And in its stonework one can still see the craftsmanship of the men of old, and the eye for architecture of the Dúnedain at the height of their power.

The Númenorians are a footballing folk, and now as they had practically two home-teams to support it was obvious the whole island went absolutely nuts over the games. The Armenelos Times and The Númenorian – the two high-class journals of Númenor - published pages after pages of special reports and analysis over the coming games, predictions of the performances of different teams and top interviews with interesting players during the days leading to the beginning of the group-phase.

The players and fans from Gondor have been received with open arms, like long lost brothers and sisters. Elros’ decision to include some great kings (and a steward) of Gondor seems to have even cured some rifts between the generations of Númenoreans, not only towards their mainland relatives but also among themselves. And that is no small feat.

Getting Tol Eressëa to play there was a great honour for the Númenorians. As a sea-faring people they do revere the Lord of Waters and the Lady of the Seas and their vassals. And there were also Elros’ mom Elwing playing, and Tar Aldarion, and Amandil, people who could be counted to the “home team” as well. And even if Númenorians had some differences of feeling concerning the elves, it was clear they had decided to rejoice with the Teleri from the Lonely Island over coming to Númenor as football fans – and they were warmly welcomed.

Also team Mithrim and it’s followers received an honoring welcome, for even if they weren’t exactly the hallowed kings and queens of old, they were seen as the forefathers and to be honored as such. One can say the Númenorians are a proud folk and they can despise any lesser men, but it must be admitted they know to pay their honors to tradition and their ancestors, how rag-tag and pathetic they might look in their eyes. And naturally Tuor was received more or less as a national hero.

The most touching moment of the opening ceremonies to the games was seen when the captain of team Westernesse, the High King Elros himself, kneeled in front of his grandfather after which they embraced each other with tears of joy dropping from their cheeks while the huge crowds gave them a thunderous cheer.

The tabloids naturally made selling headlines from that the next day. Romenna Rumourer yelled: “Elros humbled himself pre-games, Mithrim will be humbled in-game!”, and Mittalmar Sun cried in huge letters: “Grandpa’s sole moment of glory!”.

But in general the mood has been relaxed and friendly, and everything is building nicely towards a week of really exciting football. The Armenelos stadium will be packed every game-day, also in the afternoon matches which is rare. Everything’s pointing towards a real football-frenzied jubilation when the whole island is turning their eyes towards their main stadium.